EXCLUSIVE: Couple who found Markham remains to get $5K from Ruby

Apr. 12, 2013

Jeff Ruby / Enquirer file photo

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The Brookville, Ind., couple who found Katelyn Markham's remains will be $5,000 richer, thanks to Cincinnati restaurateur Jeff Ruby.

In an exclusive interview with The Enquirer on Friday, Ruby said he will give $5,000 of his $25,000 reward to Andy and Natalie Hicks for finding Markham’s skeletal remains Sunday near Big Cedar Creek in Franklin County, Ind.

The couple made the discovery while scouring the area for scrap metal to help pay bills.

Ruby said he still needs to get in touch with the Hickses. He said he will give them the other $20,000 if evidence from the remains leads to the arrest or conviction of the person responsible for Markham's disappearance.

"When I found out that the people who found her were looking for scrap metal to help pay their bills, I decided to give them $5,000," Ruby said. "If by finding the body, it leads to the animal who killed her, they'll get the other $20,000."

Natalie Hicks said news of the reward money came as a shock and will be put to good use. The couple, who have three children and a baby due in July, have been struggling since Andy Hicks was laid off from his construction job six months ago.

"My husband got laid off right before Christmas," Natalie said. "We struggle most in trying to come up with the house payment."

Ruby has a history as a victim's advocate dating to 1994, when his ex-wife's brother, Darren Thall, was murdered.

In 2004, he offered a $5,000 reward for information in the murder of Donte Rogers, a dishwasher at Ruby's Carlo and Johnny's restaurant in Montgomery.

He also offered a $5,000 reward when 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel disappeared in 2006. Fiesel was later found dead and his foster parents, David and Liz Carroll were convicted of his murder.

"If you're fortunate enough to be successful and have the money to give back, you should give back to the community that gave it to you in the first place," Ruby said.

The Hickses live five minutes from the site where Markham's body was found. Natalie said finding the remains was a matter of being in the right spot at the right time.

"We look for scrap maybe two times a year at that particular creek," she said.

Natalie Hicks said her family won't rest easy until police have answers about what happened to Markham.

"We want to know who done it and why there? The person who done it is still out there. It's so close to our home, it's scary."